Tramway grip



L. A. KNOPP TRAMWAY GRIP Filed Des. 19 1923 m F n I ///5 JTTORJV'EYS.

March 25 1924.

Patented Mar. 25, 1924.

ES PATENT OFFICE. j

LOUIS A. KNOPP, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI,

AssIGNon To BRODERIGK & BASCOM' Born 8 00., or ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION or MISSOURI.

TRAMWAY GRIP.

Application filed. December 19, 1923. Serial No. 681,529.

To all whom it may concern: 6

Be it known that I, LOUIS A. Knorr, a citizen of the United States, residing at St.. Louis, Missouri, have invented a new and useful Tramway Grip, of which the following is a specification. r

This invention relates to tramway grips.

- An object of'the invention is to providean improved tramway grip comprising apair of operating jaws for engaging the traction rope, and improved means 'for'hold ing the jaws in proper relationship and operating them to engage and to release the traction rope.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tramway grip comprising a shaft for supporting one of the jaws, and improved means for swivelling said jaw upon the supporting shaft, in combination with a grooved worm adjustable upon the shaft and having operative engagement with the support of another jaw, whereby turning of the worm will operate the second jaw toengage and release the traction rope.

Another object of the invention, is to provide a tramway grip of the type and character last above mentioned, with means for retaining the worm upon the adjusting shaft in any one of a number of selected adjustments. 7

Another object of the invention is to im: prove generally and as hereinafter explained the type of tramway grip disclosed in Patent No. 1,007,561, to Frederick W. Grice, dated October 31, 1911.

. Other objects will appear from the following description, reference being made to the drawings in which- 7 Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of my improved tramway grip.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the grooved worm removed from the supporting shaft.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, an adjusting shaft 1 has an enlarged portion 2 at one end and threads 3 running from the inner end of the enlarged portion 2 an adequate dista-nce'toward the opposite end of the shaft. A collar 1 is held upon the enlargement 2 of the adjusting shaft by.

a pin 5 extending through holes inthe collar and the shaft. The pin 5 preferably tapers corresponding to the holes in which it is placed. The collar 4 has a circuniferential groove 6 near its outer end engaging a 11p 7 on the inner sidejaw 8 which has a hole into whichthe end of the enlargement 2 of the adjusting shaft extends. This connection between the collar a and the jaw 8 is a swivel connection, permitting the'jaw 8 to move freely to maInt-am cooperativere lationship with the other jaw of the grip.

A jaw liner 9 is rigidly secured in a groove across the outer side of the jaw 8, said liner having a groove 10 in its outer side to receive the traction rope.

A worm 11 hasa hole through which the shaft 1 extends, said hole at one end of the worm being threaded and engaging the threads 3 on the shaft 1. A groove extends from ene end of the worm 11, said groove comprising a portion 12 of coarse'pitch at the inner end of the sleeve opening into-a portion 13 of fine pitch running about two.

thirds, more or less, around the worm and a short distance from itsinner end opening into another portion 1 1 of thesame coarse pitch as the portion 12, and the coarse pitch'port-ionH opening into a portion 15 of fine pitch running about two-thirds, more or less, around the worm.

A body casting 16 surrounds the worm 11 and has a pair of, lugs 17 engaging in the groove formed in the wormll as above described, one of said lugs'being arranged to operate in theparts 1213 of the groove and the other lug being arranged to operate in the parts14.-15 of said groove. The relationship is such that when one of the lugs enters the part 12 of the groove the other lug enters the part 1 1 of the groove, and when the lug passes to or from the part 13 of the groove the other lug passes to and from the part 15 of the groove, and soon. Thus when the body casting 16 and the worm '11 are relatively rotated, the'wor'm 11 will be moved axially in the body casting thereby moving the jaw 8 toward or away from the cooperating jawto engage'or to release the traction rope. The body casting 16 has an extension 18 supporting a jaw 19 at its outer end. The inner side of the jaw 19 is grooved and a jaw liner 20, similar to the liner 9, is secured in said groove, said liner 20 having on its inner side a groove 21 corresponding to the groove 10 and serving to receive the traction rope. The lower .edges of the jaws 8 and 19 are beveled in opposite directions to facilitate the passage of the traction rope betweenthe aws.

The inner end of the worm 11 is provided with a threaded extension 22 of re duced diameter upon which a nut or washer 23 is screwed to form an abutment at the end of the part 12 of the groove in the worm 11. This abutment serves to prevent the lug 17 from leaving the groove and from becoming jammed on the shoulder 24 forming a short pitch continuation of one wall of the groove. The nut or washer 23 may be retained from working loose by a pin 25 passing through the nut or washer and into a hole in the worm 11.

A lever 26 is secured upon the outer end of the worm 11. justed to difierent positions relative to the shaft 1. The looking device shown oomprises a shouldered pin 27 having a em 28 encircled by a coil spring 29, the bottom end of the shouldered pin fitting into a groove in the adjusting shaft 1 and the top of the shouldered pin fitting into a drilled hole in a cup 30, which is screwed into the lever 26. The adjacent portion of the shaft 1 is ,rovided with a number of longitudinal grooves 31 intended and adapted to receive the end of the shouldered pin 27, so that the shaft 1 and the worm 11 may be adjusted in various selected positions. To the outer end of the stem 28 a release cam lever 32 is pivoted which, in the position shown by solid lines (Fig. 2), permits the spring 29 to retain the shouldered pin 2'? in one of the grooves, and whichin the position shown by dotted lines 2) holds the shouldered pin 27 disengaged from the shaft 1. The end of the shaft 1 has provision for engagement with a wrench for turning the shaft when the shouldered pin is disengaged in order to obtain the desired adjustment of the parts. As shown, the end of the shaft is provided with a square hole 33 to receive a wrenchto turn the shaft 1. Thus the parts may be accurately adjusted as required to cause the jaws 8 and 19 to grip the traction rope between them, irrespective of the extent to which the traction rope may become worn. This is an important feature of the invention. 7

A lubricant passage 34: opens through the body casting 16 and is equipped with a lubricant su pl connection or fittin 35.

l b The lever arm 26 corresponds to the arm 21 of the Grice Patent No. 1,007,561 men tioned, and constitutes an attaching lever The worm 11 may be adarm when the jaws are gripping the rope. As the rope wears this weighted arm 26 simply turns farther around, thereby bringing the gripping jaws closer together by 2 reason of the groove and lug connection between the worm 11 and the body casting 16. When the rope becomes worn to such an extent that the lever arm 26 cannot well function to cause the jaws to engage the rope, the shaft 1 may be rotated, the threaded connection between said shaft and the worm 11 serving to move the jaw 8 closer to the jaw 19. The locking device will pre vent the shaft 1 from turning relative to the worm 11 and hold the parts in proper relative adjustment.

The body casting 16 is rotativc in a supporting bearing 36.

/Vhen it is desired to attach the grip to tramway rope the lever 26 is operated in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 2 to turn the worm 11 in a direction to move the jaw 8 away from the jaw 19 a distance sufficient to permit the tramway rope to pass between said jaws into the grooves 10 and 21. The lever 26 is then turned in the opposite direction to cause the worm 11 to move the jaw 8 toward the jaw 19 to grip the tramway rope. The lever 26 is then left in an inclined position and the weight thereof is sufficient to hold the parts in gripping position. To release the rope it is only necessary to use the lever 26 to turn the worm 11 in a direction to move the jaw 8 away from the jaw 19.

From the foregoing description it is clear that the invention obtains all of its intended objects and purposes in a highly efficient and simplified manner. The construction and arrangement of the parts may be varied in numerous particulars without departing from the nature and principle of the invention. 1 do not re strict myself unessentially, but what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. A tramway grip comprising a body casting provided with a rigid aw, a worm within the body casting, a shaft adjustable within the worm, a jaw on the end of said shaft for cooperation vith the first named jaw, and means for imparting an endwise movement to said worm and thereby to said shaft and second jaw in either direction.

2. A tramway grip comprising a body casting having a. fixed aw on one end there of, a worm within the body casting, a shaft extending through the worm, a jaw swivelled to said shaft for cooperation with the first named aw, and means for holding said worm and said shaft in different relative adjustments.

3. A tramway grip comprising a body casting having a fixed jaw on one end thereof, a worm within the body casting, a shaft extending through the worm, a jaw swiveled to said shaft for cooperation with the first named jaw, means for holding said worm and said shaft in different relative adjustments, and means for imparting an endwise movement to said worm and thereby to said shaft and said second jaw in either direction.

i. A tramway grip comprising abody casting provided with a fixed jaw, a worm mounted in the body casting for endwise movements therein, means for imparting endwise movements in either direction to said worm, a device for preventing said means from becoming locked or jammed, a shaft supported in the worm, means for holding the shaft. in selected adjustments in the worm, a aw for cooperation with the first named jaw, and a device swivelling said second jaw in connection with said shaft.

5. Atramway grip comprising a body casting, projections on the inside of said'body casting, a fixed jaw beyond one end of the body casting, aworm within the body casting having a winding groove receiving said projections whereby said worm will be moved endwise when turned in the body casting, a shaft within the worm, a jaw for cooperation with the first named jaw, and a swivel device holding said second jaw in connec tion with said shaft.

6. A tramway grip comprising a body casting, projections on the inside of said body casting, a fixed jaw beyond one. end of the body casting, a worm within the drum having a winding groove receiving said projections whereby said worm will be moved endwise when turned in the drum, a shaft within the worm, a jaw for cooperation with the'first named jaw, a. swivel device holding said second jaw in connection with said shaft, and a releasable locking device for holding said worm and said shaft in proper relative adjustment.

7. A tramway grip comprising a hollow element, projections on the insideof said element, a fixed jaw supported by said element, a rotary worm inside said element having a spiral groove receiving saidprojections, a removable device closing one end of said groove, a shaft in said worm, a jaw on said shaft for cooperation with the first named jaw, and means for holding said second jaw in connection with said shaft. I

8. A tramway grip comprising a hollow element, projections on the inside of said element, a fixed jaw supported by said element, a rotary worm inside said element hav ing a spiral groove receiving said projections, a removable device closing one end of said groove, a jaw for cooperation with the first named jaw, a collar removably mounted on said shaft, and a swivel connection between said second jaw and said collar.

8. A tramway grip comprising a jaw, a

hollow element with which said jaw is rigidly united, a worm inside of said element, lug and winding groove connection between said element and said worm for imparting axial movements to said worm when. said worm is turnedin said element, a part re movably supported by said worm preventing movement of the worm beyond a desired point, an adjustable shaft in said worm, 'a jaw for cooperation with the first named jaw, and a removable swivel'device holding said second jaw in connection with said shaft.

10. A tramway grip comprising a jaw, a hollow element with which said jaw'is rigidly united, a worm inside of said element, lug and winding groove connection between said element and said worm for imparting axial movements to said worm when said worm is turned in said element, a part re movably supported by said worm preventin movement of the worm beyond a desired point, an adjustable 2 shaft in said worm, a aw for cooperation with the first named jaw, a removable swivel device holding said second jaw in connection with said shaft, and a releasable latch device holding said worm and said shaft in selected relative adjustments.

11; A tramway grip comprising a hollow rotary element, a jaw in rigid connection with said element, a worm rotative within said element, means for moving said worm longitudinally when it is rotated in said element, a jaw for cooperation with the first named jaw, and means for supporting said second jaw in different positions relative to said worm.

12. A tramwa grip comprising a hollow rotary element, a jaw in rigid connection with'said element, a worm'rotative within said element, means for moving said worm longitudinally when it is rotated in said element, a jaw for cooperation with the first named j aw, a part removably supported by said worm, and a removable swivel device supported by said part for holding said second jaw in connection with said part.

13. A tramway grip comprising a hollow revoluble element, a jaw in fixed connection with said element, a worm rota-tive within said element, means for imparting axial movements to said worm when it is rotated in said element, a shaft in said worm, means for imparting axial movements to said shaft when it is rotated in said worm, and a jaw supported by said shaft for cooperation with said first named aw.

1a. A tramway grip comprising a hollow revoluble element, a jaw in fixed connection with said element, a worm rotative within said element, means for imparting axial movements to said worm when it is rotated in said element, a shaft in said worm, means for imparting axial movements to said shaft when it is rotated in said worm, a jaw supported by said shaft for cooperation with said first named j aw, a collar supported by said shaft, and a jaw having swivel connec tion with said collar for cooperation with said first named jaw.

15. A tramway grip comprising a hollow member, a fixed jaw on one end of said member, a worm rotative within said member, means for imparting axial movements to said worm when it is rotated in said member, a detachable device in connection with said worm limiting axial movement thereof in one direction, a jaw for cooperation with the first named jaw, and a swivel device supporting said jaw beyond the end of said worm.

16. A tramway grip comprising a hollow member, a jaw rigid with said member, a worm rotative within said member, a shaft rotative in said worm and having threaded connection therewith, a latch device for holding said shaft and worm in selected relative adjustments, and a jaw swiveled upon said shaft for cooperation with the first named jaw.

17. A tramway grip comprising a hollow member, a jaw rigid with said member, a worm rotative in said member, a shaft in said worm, a jaw swiveled to said shaft, and means for preventing said shaft from turning.

18. A tramway grip comprising a hollow member, a aw having fixed connection with said member, a worm rotative within said member, lug and groove connection between said worm and said member for imparting axial movements to said worm when said worm is turned in said member, a shaft in said worm, means for holding said shaft in selected adjustments in said worm, a collar removably supported by said shaft, a jaw on the end of said shaft for cooperation with the first named jaw, and a connection between said second jaw and said collar for holding said second jaw on said shaft.

19. A tramway grip comprising a hollow member, a jaw integrally united with said member and having a groove in its inner side, a worm rotative in said member, a shaft in said worm, a jaw swiveled on said shaft for cooperation with the first named jaw and having a groove in its outer side corresponding to the groove in said first named jaw, a lever supported by one end of said worm, and a releasable latch device for preventing said worm and said shaft from turning relatively.

20. A tramway grip comprising a hollow rotary element, a fixed jaw in connection with said element, a worm rotative in said element, lug and winding groove connection between said worm and said element formoving said worm axially when it is turned in said element, a removable part closing one end of said groove, a shaft in said worm extending beyond the end thereof toward said jaw, and a jaw swiveled upon the end of said shaft for cooperation with said first named jaw.

21. tramway grip comprising a hollow rotary element, a fixed jaw in connection with said element, a worm rotative in said element, lug and winding groove connection between said worm and said element for moving said worm axially when it is turned in said element, a removable part closing one end of said groove, a shaft in said Worm extending beyond the end thereof toward said jaw, a jaw swiveled upon the end of said shaft for cooperation with the said first named jaw, and a lock device for holding said worm and said shaft in proper relative adjustment.

22. A tramway grip comprising a hollow member, a jaw in fixed connection with said member, lugs on the inside of said member, a worm rotative in said member and having a winding groove receiving said lugs, a plate screwed on one end of said worm closing one end of said groove, a jaw for cooperation with the first named jaw, and a swivel device supporting said jaw beyond the end of said worm for cooperation with said first named jaw.

23. A tramway grip comprising a hollow member, a jaw in connection with said mem: ber, lugs on the inside of said member, a worm on the inside of said member having a winding groove running from one end to ward the opposite end and terminating short of the opposite end of said worm and receiving said lugs, a removable element closing the end of said groove at the end of the worm, a shaft supported by said worm, and a jaw swiveled upon said shaft for cooperation with said first named jaw.

24:. A tramway grip comprising a hollow member, a jaw in connection with said member, lugs on the inside of said member, a worm on the inside of said member having a winding groove running from one end toward the opposite end and terminating short of the opposite end of said worm and receiving said lugs, a removable element closing the end of said groove at the end of the worm, a shaft secured in said worm for relative adjustment therein, means for holding said shaft and worm in selective relative adjustments, and a jaw swiveled upon said shaft for cooperation with said first-named jaw.

25. A tramway grip, comprising a hollow member, a jaw in connection with said member, lugs on the inside of said member, a worm on the inside of said member having a winding groove running from one end toward the opposite end and terminating short of the opposite end of said worm and receiving said lugs, a removable element closing the end of said groove at the end of the worm, a shaft secured in said Worm for relative adjustment therein, means for holding said shaft and worm in selected relative adjustments, a collar attached to said shaft for cooperation with said first-named jaw, 10

and a connection between said second jaw and said collar holdlng said second aw on said shaft.

LOUIS A. KNOP'P. 

